Dust spots (sorry I know it's been done to death)

Thirdfox

Is what my sensor looks like at F22 with autolevels

I have used a rocket blower (made it a lot worse - added three massive spots). It has worked in the past before though...

I'm not entirely comfortable with doing this myself (I will if prices force me to - poor student remember!) But does anyone know what are the prices like in camera shops around Dublin (will they offer student discounts?)

If I do go for it myself - could I just buy medical grade iso-propyl alcohol and use that? What would I use as a applicator/dryer?

I cannot afford to spend a lot and that's why I would prefer to do it myself... however having to buy a new camera is a lot cheaper than sending it off to be cleaned! Maybe I can send off my camera for a focus checking and get a free sensor cleaning thrown in (back focusing issues with my kit lens...)?

It's late, I'm tired and disheartened that my blower hasn't done anything to help the situation and has actually made it worse

Thirdfox

Hmm...found Rymus' blog: http://blog.rymus.net/?paged=22&showimage=72
The copperhill method - do you still use that?

leohoju

I haven't gone down the road of cleaning my own sensor yet, but the one time I did need a clean (similar enough to your sample below), I went to the Camera Repair Centre up at Portobello Harbour. The guys there not only cleaned my sensor, but gave the camera a full service as well, all for €45.50 - not sure if they do student discounts though.

I have invested in the Dust-Aid sensor cleaning system, but haven't had a chance to use yet.

rymus

I do still use my copper hill kit and as such have been pimping it to everyone that has moaned about a filthy sensor in the last couple of years. You'll have to pay up to 70 quid to get your sensor 'professionally' cleaned, that'd probably buy you enough copper hill stuff to last about 6 years.

If I knew I was coming up to Dublin anytime soon I'd offer to clean it for you but getting your own kit and going through the motions yourself is the only way to learn. If you go to buy the kit, make sure you get the correct eclipse fluid for your sensor. The liquid dries itself in seconds and an applicator is included in the kit so once you buy the kit, there's nothing left to get.

Thirdfox

Where do you go to buy it? I see copperhill sell a special European version of its set - circa $50, I think I need to buy the E2 eclipse solution.

Would these sets/solutions be available in Gunns/Conns etc?

Thanks for your offer by the way.

rymus

possibly available in Dublin... I got mine from http://www.chili-pix.ch/shop/

bovril

I got exclipse fluid a while back from Gunns, give them a ring. Conns looked in shock when I said I was going to clean it myself..

Masada

i got a quote from the camera shot in grafton street of €145 to have my sensor cleaned, couldnt believe it and it had to be sent to kildare or something., So i just read up on it and did it myself, its not as difficult as a lot of places will have you believe.,

Paulw

You are better off doing it yourself.

The Canon website only lists ISS as their authorised repair centre in Ireland. They cleaned mine (first time it was really bad) for €60. Since then, I clean it myself when needed.

Thirdfox

Doing further research I found out about a sensor brush technique - see here:
http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/How_to/a_Brush_Your_Sensor/a_Brush_Your_Sensor.html?page=5

anyone tried this method?

I do have a very fine nylon brush used for cleaning... I think I might try the filter test described on page 4 of it and see if it passes. If it fails then I'll just go the copperhill method.

How does this "Euro" copperhill kit look? (in terms of price)
http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=38

leinsterman

I use copper hill also ... be careful to get the right fluid for your sensor ... E2 or Eclipse ... www.copperhillimages.com has the info ...

Cleaning your own sensor is not so difficult ... I take a few extra precautions such as wearing a decorating mask and a hat to prevent bit of me getting into the camera ... I also make sure I clean it in as dust and draft free a room as possible ...

Hugh_C

Conn's looked in shock because they charge you 50 quid for the pleasure of squirting a few blasts of compressed air inside your camera and redistributing the dust elsewhere inside it. Easy money which often makes the probelm worse, plus they do not guarantee how effective it is. Their 50 euro solution is a daylight robbery in my opinion and I would urge you not to go there. Conn's by name ...

Since then I've used the Dust Aid kit once on my camera. Very happy with the results although I haven't been anywhere near f/22 lately.

hc

PS forgot to say I contacted the Dust Aid folks directly and did a better deal on shipping than they advertise through their website. They're nice to do business with.

Thirdfox

Thanks for the help everyone - I've decided to get the copperhill set (as soon as I get credit card approval )

Meanwhile I have tried the brushing technique - made sure I didn't have anything like sand on my sensor filter. The results are in - significant improvement! Nothing visible wide open or at F8 and at F22 if I don't use auto levels then the remaining spots are easily manageable.

By the way that was 10 months worth of dust!

rymus

erm.. brushing with what exactly? And don't say a brush or I'll lamp ya

Thirdfox

A nylon brush* - blown with the blower to get rid of dust on the brush first. The brush itself is similar to the sensorsweep I suppose:
http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=1

Did the filter test first of all:
http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/How_to/a_Brush_Your_Sensor/a_Brush_Your_Sensor.html?page=4

Was pretty nervous in the beginning... I think I'll get that copperhill set asap and clean the sensor fully - I can see trails on the F22 picture...

But certainly I feel more confident touching my sensor now than before. Looking forward to trying out the wet method soon.







*I actually used a spare paintbrush we've just finished painting the house with - not liable if anyone else does this :eek: ! ...how many smilies do I need to convey humour/sarcasm?

Hugh_C

Thirdfox wrote: »

I feel more confident touching my sensor now than before. Looking forward to trying out the wet method soon.

You sure you're in the right forum for this?

Thirdfox

That's what the young people call it nowadays?

Ghost Train

actually tried the brush/blower thing (very lightly) over the weekend
before shot at about f5, was pretty bad

after at f22

now only see the big dust blob in the top right at the wider apatures, so did help.

might try to clean it again using the same method, but do it in a cleaner environment

Thirdfox

so it is a cheaper method than copperhill - but I see it as an interim solution.

We both need a good wet clean!

Ghost Train

Thirdfox wrote: »

so it is a cheaper method than copperhill - but I see it as an interim solution.

We both need a good wet clean!

if there's any real improvement when i repeat, i'll post the results, but yep looks like the wet clean is needed

Thirdfox

how did you originally clean the brush? Did you buy a "brand name" one or use a make-up/paint brush or a generic nylon brush?

Ghost Train

I used what I think is a makeup brush. Washed it well with washing up liquid like the guide said, then dried it. Very soft brush, but it was difficult to get a good sweep across the sensor, because it was a bit thick (the brush). Might try a wide artist type paint brush next time, i think there are some in the house

Thirdfox

Sorry to bring this up again...but I have just got my first credit card and now can buy online

Rymus, you mentioned that Swiss store for the pec pad and E2 solution... did you get charged for customs and VAT? Or is Switzerland exempt as a quasi-semi-EU country?

Also I have heard recently that liquids are not longer allowed to be shipped via air...so can you still buy E2 solution from abroad?

Eolhc: did you attempt any more cleans of the sensor?

rymus

err.. tbh it was so long ago now I cant remember if I paid anything extra.. Dont think so though. Maybe they'd ship the package by ground? Surely theres somewhere over here you can buy the stuff at this stage though!?!